Clinical and Radiological Evaluation of Patients with Chest Trauma in the 2023 Great Kahramanmaras Earthquake.

Objective: On February 6, 2023, two earthquakes of magnitude 7.8 and 7.6 occurred in Kahramanmaras, affecting south and central Türkiye as well as north and west Syria. The objective of this study is to present the clinical and radiological findings of chest trauma patients in a significant disaster like an earthquake. It aims to contribute to early diagnosis and intervention in multidisciplinary treatment approaches, thereby reducing mortality and morbidity rates. Materials and Methods: This study was a cross-sectional type registry research. A total of 6,500 patients who presented to Kayseri City Hospital due to the earthquake between February 6, 2023 and February 20, 2023 were retrospectively reviewed through medical hospital records. Of these, 150 patients with blunt or penetrating chest trauma were included in the study. Results: Among the 6,500 patients screened, chest trauma was identified in 150 cases. The average age was 45.1 years. Of the patients, 40.0% arrived at the hospital within 0-1 days, while 10.7% arrived after 6 or more days, with the longest duration being 11 days. While 30.7% of patients had no rib fractures, 31.3% had fractures on the right side, 10.7% had bilateral fractures, and 23.3% had 5 or more rib fractures. Complications occurred in 61.3% of cases, 69.3% received medical treatment, and 26.7% underwent tube thoracostomy. The patients' hospital stays ranged from 0 to 162 days, with an average of 18 days and a median of 11.5 days. Conclusion: Türkiye and its surrounding regions are prone to frequent earthquakes, and similar events are expected in the future. A multidisciplinary patient approach, starting from the emergency department, plays a crucial role, with thoracic surgery being an integral part of this approach.